The mental well being of farmers is being brought to light by a new study at the University of Guelph.
Researchers say farmers suffer higher levels of stress, anxiety, depression and burnout than other groups.
Meghan Walker, with the Canadian Mental Health Association says there are certain risk factors unique to farming.
“They do typically work in isolation, they can have a high financial burden, little downtime or vacation from their work,” says Walker. “And a lack of control over weather that impacts their crops. These are all factors that can contribute to their heightened vulnerability.”
The trend seems to be affecting Canadian farmers more, as their counterparts in the United Kingdom were nearly four times less likely to be affected.
